How to declutter a room in 10 minutes or less

Scheduling time into your busy schedule to tackle the mess, clutter and debris that has accumulated around your home can be intimidating, especially if you’ve estimated that you’ll need a few hours to get through the entire house. A more achievable goal is to do one room at a time, and if you’ve got ten minutes to spare, you can declutter a room in 10 minutes or less today.

This is our definitive list of things you should throw away today to make your home cleaner and clutter-free tomorrow. Now, grab a garbage bag and go!

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In the living room:

Old photos and frames that aren’t relevant, are poor quality or have seen better days

Holiday trinkets that might be laying around but don’t really work in the space anymore

Homewares and accessories that make more of a mess than a style statement

Board games with missing pieces or that no one plays

Anything broken, chipped or worn out

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In the kitchen:

Tupperware and containers missing their lids

Appliances that are unused, broken or don’t work properly

Food past the expiration date

Chipped, stained or old mugs

Non-stick pots and pans with worn out coatings

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In the bedroom:

Excess pillows, or pillows that are too soft or lumpy

Clothing and shoes that don’t fit or in terrible condition

Gifts you’ve been given that you don’t want, like or use

Bedding that is old, stained, worn out or doesn’t fit your bed.

Gloves and socks missing their mates

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In the bathroom:

Medications, toiletries and cosmetics past their expiration date

Makeup in colours you’ll never use

Travel-sized toiletries and cosmetics that you don’t use

Products you’ve tried, tested and didn’t like but kept because you paid for them